[chillimummy]

So I have given up half of my allotment at the end of last year for various reasons and am tackling the half I have left.
Still have overgrown fruit bushes area but have started tackling that every day this week and have made a dent in it!
Today I saw plot neighbours across me for chat and the plot next to them is divided in two.
One half is very overgrown.
The man who had the other half unfortunately recently died.
No one has been allowed to take it over yet due to covid and it is immaculate.
Its like a little garden.
Has greenhouse,  shed, raised beds and a pond.
Only issue is that there is not much growing space.
This year I have potatoes ready and want to grow squash, sweetcorn and onions.
I would have limited space to grow on this plot.
Couldn't grow potatoes or not many or many squash either.
Planned growing more at home this year anyway.
It's a perfect plot,  well cared for by someone I never met but with limited growing space.
I need to contact council soon if I want to move across but I cant decide.
Help !!

[Yorkie]

Firstly, are you sure that the plot is vacant?  Our tenancies have rules about families being able to inherit a tenancy if the tenant dies.

Assuming that's the case, I think you need to take a step back and be very practical about this.  Decide how much growing space you will need each year; how much space you are willing to free up at home (and which gets the right amount of sun, etc.); and what you have in the current and potential plots.  If you don't have enough space at home plus the new plot, you're going to be constrained in what you grow.

It is possible to improve your current plot so it has other elements to it, but it's not possible to improve the size of the potential plot without removing the elements that attract you to it.

A dilemma

[AndyRVTR]

Agree with Yorkie's comments..

[chillimummy]

Thanks yorkie for reply.
Really helpful advice.
I think the fact that I've been struggling for past year or so is a big factor.
Having less space also may not be the negative I initially felt it was.
My OH helps me on the plot but doesn't enjoy time there at all 😁.
Managing a smaller plot alone is a positive especially in his eyes!
The lady next to plot has advised that the only reason it hasn't been taken is because of covid restrictions but I've just taken the decision to e mail the council to enquire.
No commitment,  just a polite enquiry!

[chillimummy]

Have heard back from council today and can officially take over the new smaller plot.
Am very happy and looking forward to a plot I can manage on my own.
It's been vacant a few months since the gentleman died and he cared for it so well, it's so neat and almost weed free.
Am hoping I will do it justice as it was so well looked after.
Less space will make me use every last bit and already started planning beds at home.
Between home and this plot, with planning, I'll still be able to grow what I want with less stress as that was what whole plot had become.

[mumofstig]

RESULT! 

[chillimummy]

Agree mum.
Having less space is fine when I thought it through.
No grumpy OH reluctantly helping me 

[Yorkie]

Good news, glad it's working out for you!

[snowdrops]

Pleased you’re getting sorted, less stress is always best 

[chillimummy]

Thanks everyone.
Been today and started moving stuff over.
Trip to the tip with bits and pieces of rubbish from old plot.
Just need to empty my shed, move few more bits over and have pile of trimmings to burn as not fair to leave them.
Old plot will be divided in half so glad two people will get chance to grow.
Pottered around new one and so excited to have it.
Quite relieved to leave old plot though bit sad too as been there for 8 years and have worked very hard on it.
Just taking one of the many rhubarb plants with me and few raspberries as really big fruits.
Plenty left.
Sprinkling of weeds on new plot only.
OH is making pallet raised beds at home with pallets that were for compost bins, not now needed.
He's happy I've got an allotment that I can manage alone so he's happy making more growing space at home for me 
Not able to get back til Monday to start bit of weeding and empty shed.